Artist: Def Leppard Album: Retro Active

Year: 1993
Duration: 1:00:16

Retro Active

Def Leppard is one of the most iconic rock bands of all time, with a career spanning over four decades. Their sound is heavily influenced by the hard rock and heavy metal genres, coupled with catchy hooky lyrics and harmonies that have won the hearts of millions of fans worldwide. In 1993, the band released a compilation album titled Retro Active. The album brought back some of their classic hit songs and remixes that had not been released previously. In this critical review, we'll take a closer look at the album's history, genre, best songs, most innovative parts, and critique it from a listener's perspective.

Retro Active is a compilation album that was released four years after the band's critically acclaimed album Adrenalize. This album represented the band's evolution from their early days as a hard rock band to their current sound that was influenced by glam rock. The album features 12 tracks, including two new songs and several remixes. It's essential to note that the album's material was recorded over a ten-year period, and thus the songs exhibit different stages of the band's evolution.

This album falls within the hard rock and glam rock genre, with a blend of pop and heavy metal elements. The tracks that stand out are the heavy rockers like Desert Song and Fractured Love, which showcase the band's prowess in playing heavy music. Also, the ballads on the album like Two Steps Behind and Miss You in a Heartbeat demonstrate the band's ability to write charming and emotive songs that were relatable to their audience.

The most innovative parts of the album are the remixes of the classic hit songs. The band worked closely with producers to update the songs' sound, keeping them relevant to a younger audience while simultaneously satisfying older fans' expectations. For example, the remix of Action includes a more club-friendly beat, while the remix of Pour Some Sugar on Me had a guitar solo that was more prominent. These changes did not subtract from the original songs' essence, but it enhanced them, making them more enjoyable for a contemporary audience.

However, the album is not without its flaws. Some of the album's remixes are unnecessary and add little to the original songs' quality. Moreover, some of the previously unreleased material on the album felt like outtakes from other albums, and they did not match the rest of the album's quality.

In conclusion, Retro Active by Def Leppard is a good example of a compilation album that showcases a band's evolution over time. It contains some of the band's most iconic hits, combined with some lesser-known tracks that bring out their versatility in writing catchy and emotive songs. The album's genre is hard rock and glam rock, with remixes of classic hits that update the sound without losing their essence. Although not perfect, as some of the remixes and unreleased material lacked cohesion with the rest of the album, it remains a must-have for fans of the band's earlier work. As a listener, it's easy to be transported back to the golden age of rock and roll and feel the nostalgia associated with the songs.